By Pamela Q. Devata , Robert T. Szyba, and Stacey L. Blecher

Seyfarth Synopsis: On May 4, 2017, New York’s highest court, the Court of Appeals, held that the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) prohibits employers from discriminating on the basis of criminal conviction history. Entities that are not direct employers may also be liable, however …
Continue Reading New York’s Highest Court Clarifies Who Can Be Liable for Discrimination Based on Criminal History

By Paul Galligan and Samuel Sverdlov

iStock_000042612884_MediumSeyfarth Synopsis: The District Court of the Southern District of New York granted an employer’s motion for summary judgment on an employee’s failure to accommodate claims, holding that the plaintiff did not hold a bona fide religious belief, and failed to provide notice to the employer regarding his need for religious accommodation.

Requests…
Continue Reading “Believe It or Not” SDNY Grants Summary Judgment to Employer on Religious Accommodation Claim

By Esther Slater McDonald

Seyfarth Synopsis: The New York Court of Appeals’ ruling on questions regarding the use of criminal convictions in hiring will impact employers and may impact the background screening industry, the temporary staffing industry, and other businesses requiring its affiliates or contractors to adhere to certain criminal history guidelines.

In Griffin v. Sirva, Inc., 835…
Continue Reading N.Y. Appellate Court Scopes Out Liability: Using Criminal Convictions in Employment